A fair amount of critics enjoyed the movie for what it is, saying that though they never expected an "Equalizer" trilogy, they were into it. Amon Warmann at Empire Magazine said the film was "A solid conclusion to an unlikely trilogy and a fitting end to Robert McCall's character arc — with Washington still entertaining as a deliverer of slick justice." Over at IndieWire, Kate Erbland wrote, "If this is the end of "The Equalizer," it's a good one, a high note that overcomes confusion, complications, and convolutions to give everyone — Robert, Emma, kind-hearted Italians, the audience — a lavish adventure to remember."
Simon Thompson at IGN Movies agreed, saying, "The Equalizer 3 is a fitting send-off to Denzel Washington and Antoine Fuqua's action trilogy." At Deadline, Valerie Complex came up with a pretty apt description: "The film fits into what is best described as 'Dad movies' – films you'd happily take your father to with the confidence that Washington's presence will win him over."
In case you forgot, all of the "Equalizer" movies are based on the 1980s television series — and Nick Schager at the The Daily Beast definitely remembered this. "As self-contained as any episode of the television show upon which it's based," he wrote. "It's also as efficient and straightforward as that predecessor, if not quite as disposable, thanks to its peerless star."
